How much is okay to drink while pregnant

Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by Aaron Styer, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Drinking plenty of water is extra-important when you're pregnant. Here's why it's so essential to stay hydrated during pregnancy, plus how many glasses moms-to-be should aim for each day. Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. Recommended Reading.

Best and Worst Drinks for Pregnant Women. Best Foods to Eat While Pregnant. View Sources. Pregnancy: Staying healthy and safe , March Mayo Clinic, Pregnancy nutrition: Healthy-eating basics , February Your Health. Pregnancy Groups. For the past few decades, women have been urged to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Respected medical societies like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the United Kingdom's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Women both say women shouldn't drink any alcohol during pregnancy.

The main reason for this is that heavy use of alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to a long-term and irreversible condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome FAS. Babies with FAS may be born early. They are often underweight and don't grow well. Some have characteristic facial features like a thin upper lip and small eye openings, or the small vertical groove between the upper lip and the nose may be flattened. Other physical signs that go along with fetal alcohol syndrome include a small head, short nose, and problems with the way the heart or the joints are formed.

Children with FAS are slower to learn language skills than other kids. More questions about drinking alcohol during pregnancy? Want to learn more about what CDC is doing to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies? Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Alcohol Use in Pregnancy. Minus Related Pages.

Surgeon General's Advisory. Get Help! More Information More questions about drinking alcohol during pregnancy? Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.